The bidding process is one many of us go through each and every day. While many jobs are similar, each lead or job we receive deserves it own unique bidding process. I am going to break down the bidding process one should go through each time you present a bid.

Let the Bidding Begin

The first step to any bid is of course gathering the quantities, whether you are measuring an existing structure or doing a takeoff from a set of plans. From there, you must “extend” your numbers, either manually or by entering the information into an estimating program. There are many such programs available, such as eTakeoff, Eagle Bid and PEP Cloud.

Workplace safety should be your number one priority to ensure your job site is safe at all times. Because 60% of construction workplace injuries occur within an employee’s first year of employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics), it’s essential that you enforce proper safety training to all employees. Sometimes workers forget the basics of safety after years on the job, so this post serves as a friendly reminder to reduce worksite injuries.

While working on a construction site, always remember to:

As the year moves on, we get a clearer picture of the home remodeling landscape for 2015. Early on, signs were positive. Then, certain numbers began to decrease. Fortunately, more experts are starting to agree that 2015 is shaping out to be a very good year for contracting services.

If the recent stories below are any indication, it looks like our good fortune is not going away anytime soon.

If there are specific trends or news sources you want us to follow, please let us know in the comments section below or email me at jacob.hurwith@craftjack.com.

Recently, we showed you how to create high-quality videos using smart lighting, a microphone and a computer, but unfortunately, many of you wont have access to such equipment out in the field. That is why Noah is back showing you how to create, edit and upload an excellent video with just your iPhone.

Much like your other videos, this video will be perfect for your website, CraftJack profile or social media pages.

There are several things to consider when you think about what type of work you want to do. Generally speaking, it’s better to do a few things well rather than trying to do it all. Consider what types of work are available in your area, what you are best equipped to do and what it is that you do well. This will help you to determine what niche you want to aim for and, in turn, the makeup of the crew you will need.

Hiring

Depending on the size of your operation, I would suggest a mix of skill sets and levels. A strong superintendent to help oversee your operations is key to your success. This is especially true as you grow your company. At some point, you will realize that you can’t do it all yourself; marketing, estimating, contract administration, supervising, hiring, and the list goes on, doesn’t it?

When you’re a one-man shop, it’s hard to make time for everything, especially when you’re busy out on jobs. Sales should be your number one priority because without it, you don’t have a business to run. Customers are very in tune with what they do and don’t want when spending their hard earned money. Take some time to brush up on your sales skills and become the person they do want to hire!

Even sales experts make time for practice and reviewing the fundamentals. Don’t get caught off guard the next time you’re trying to close a deal. Instead, prepare for a win. Continue reading to learn sales techniques and strategies tailored to small business owners that you can implement immediately.

“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Those aren’t just famous words spoken by the great Jim Valvano, but words to live by in lead generation.

As Noah discusses below, following up, even when someone has shot you down for a current project, can bring new light. Just because a homeowner wasn’t ready for their flooring project in January doesn’t mean they are not interested in redoing their floors this summer.

As such, reconnecting with old customers is always a smart decision. See why and how below!

We’re all very busy these days, but it’s imperative we stay up-to-date with professional industry news and trends. Being too busy isn’t a good excuse to fall behind in your industry. Educating yourself on construction trends and marketing tactics will help you stay ahead of your competition and, if nothing else, help you win more jobs.

You want to be knowledgeable when interacting with homeowners and other contractors. Using online tools and resources is a great way to get informed so you can showcase your expertise to clients. Prove that you’ve done your homework and that you’re the right person for the job.

Lead generation is always a two-way street. Homeowners are coming in and contractors are coming out. Too often, we forget about the homeowner perspective and solely focus on the contractor side of the street. Not today.

CraftJack recently made some improvements to your profile as well as the profile match page homeowners see as they search for available contractors. Watch below as Noah goes over all the changes that should improve your close ratio and ROI.

If you have any questions about your profile, please email us as support@craftjack.com.

When it comes to deciding how much you should charge for your labor, there are a number of components to consider. Basically, these include salary, load, burden and profit. Let’s walk through the process of building a “Sell Rate” for your company.

Salary

We will begin by taking a journeyman painter who, just as an example, makes $21.71 per hour. To that salary, you will need to add the other items mentioned below.

Load

The term “load”, or “burden,” is used to describe several expenses that are related to employee salaries. Normally, these include federal government taxes (FICA and FUI), worker’s compensation, state unemployment tax, liability insurance and health insurance benefits. You can check with your accountant or calculate these percentages yourself. Either way, you should be sure to keep them current as they are subject to change. For the purposes of this example, I will plug in a hypothetical number of $6.64 per hour. Adding this to the salary comes out $28.35.